Last week we talked about staying calm and centered while reading the news. Not easy these days, but well worth working at. After all, life tends to happen even when not on the front page, so working at staying more calm and peaceful amidst the storms of life will stand us in good stead even apart from the news.

Let's just say that for a large number of people, the news is hard to hear these days. I am afraid that there is nothing I can say or do to change what is happening in the world. But I may have some thoughts to share that may help us be less distressed by it.

I was talking with someone recently who is quite inspired to write a book. He was kind of stuck because it seemed like a huge intimidating project. I said to him, "But you can write ten pages at a time, right?" and a lightbulb seemed to go off for him.

I was speaking with someone a few days ago. He was a bit disappointed he had not made a bit more progress in his spiritual life. We chatted further and I found he had read about many different paths and practiced what he could from several. He was a sincere energetic fellow, so what was the impediment?

Yes! Thus completes the shortest newsletter ever. See you next week. :-) Oh, maybe I should explain? Well... since you asked...

We all have a lot to do. As always, there are two components to this feeling of overwhelm: the external yes-it's-true lots and lots to do, and the internal, always-pushing, stressed out state. See if you can guess which one I am about to address. :-)

Things are what they are. Kind of hard to argue with that, I suppose. Oftentimes the only control we have is over our own reactive process. The control I mean is not the "grin and bear it" kind, which just results in repression and stress. It's about seeing the situation from a different angle.

The image at the top of the page struck me deeply. Sometimes an image captures something so well no words are needed. (But then, words is my job here, right? So here we go... :-) )

I am part of a spiritual community. As such, "fads" would blow through and be captivating for a time. Many years ago it seemed as if everyone was asking "What's my dharma?"

Well, tricky fellow that I am, I will say "both." But perhaps more of an explanation is needed, as there is much confusion about both the notion of ego and about the oft heard (and correct) idea that it needs to be overcome.

There is enormous confusion in the West about what a guru is. Most folks think it has something to do with turning your will over to someone else, or someone who dictates every aspect of your life. Of course there are false gurus who are in it for themselves (knowingly or not). But then there are bad doctors, which does not damage the value or efficacy of Western medicine. Bad teachers do not mean education is not worth it. So what, then, is the real value of a rare true Divine Teacher?

I hope I can be forgiven for reprinting this earlier blog post. But it is one of my very favorites…

It’s the time for New Year's Resolutions. You know, those promises we make ourselves that too often don’t make it till Groundhog Day (for those of you unaware of that holiday, it’s February 2nd. Happy Groundhog Day in advance, in case I forget to mention it later. :-) ).

The trouble with failed promises, however, is most often not our lack of will; it is that we have a tendency to pick unrealistic goals.

Yogananda spoke often about the true spirit of Christmas. Most tend to personalize the presence of Christ. He was born at such-and-such a time, he lived in Ancient Israel, etc. The birth we are really celebrating is the birth of what Yogananda called Christ Consciousness.

The phrase "Say yes! to life" is one I try hard to live by. We spend entirely too much time resisting reality, arguing in our heads, resenting circumstances, and wishing things and people were different.

It is not that we should passively accept everything that happens. We should most assuredly not! I am speaking about what happens in our hearts.

Probably most folks here have heard the word. It means to see a situation from a different angle. How is this done, why is it helpful, and how might we apply it to real life situations? Glad you asked… :-)

We recently shared some thoughts on how to face tests. We all know a positive attitude about them is a good idea, but hopefully that letter took the idea a little deeper. I believe it's time to write more about "gratitude." (C'mon... Thanksgiving wasn't that long ago!)

I saw a great quote recently: "People are like tea bags—you can’t tell how strong they are until you put them in hot water." Interesting and well put...

We have all heard the ideal of living in the present. But what does it really mean and why is it so strongly advocated?

Well, it's finally over. And if you are like most folks living in California, you are not happy with the results. Some folks here are extremely happy, however. Both camps may well be overstating the impact of what has transpired.